Process for the preparation of 16alpha-hydroxylated steroids and novel intermediates



Patented Dec, ll 1%82 PROCESS FOR THE FREPARATEGN F loot-Ha DRQXYLATED STERQHD?) AND NOVEL ENTER- MEDKATES Barney .l. Magerlein, Portage Township, Kalamazoo County, and Robert D. Birkenmeyer and Fred Hagan, Kalamazoo, Mich, assignors to The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Miclm, a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Filed Jan. 11, E60, er. No. 1,423 17 Claims. (Cl. zen-397.45

This invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of l6a-hydroxylated steroids and novel A compounds of the pregnane series used in the preparation thereof.

The novel process of. the present invention is represented by the following reaction scheme:

CH CH CHzOAc Groom;

CHM Y CHM on no no CH- si I II O- i I z 2 CH3 CH3 CIEHZOAC CIJHQOAC 0:0 0 0 a no -on no? Cfil CH5, X X 0 I IV J III V V i z 2 wherein X is selected from the group consisting of -n-ornand i C=OH- R being attached at the 2-position and selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl, Y represents chlorine or bromine, and Z represents hydrogen, fluorine, or methyl, and Ac is the acyl radical of an organic carboxylic acid, particularly a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive.

In this application the wavy line E) represents a generic expression including the (a) and (/3) configuration.

The starting compounds of the process of this invention, the compounds of Formula I, are prepared according to the procedures disclosed in US. application Serial No. 1,449, filed on January 11, 1960, of even date herewith.

The process of the present invention comprises reacting steroids of the type represented by Formula I, such as 20a chloro-l1fi,21-dihydroxy-1,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one Zl-acetate, with a silver salt, preferably a silver inorganic salt, e.g., silver fluoride, silver nitrate, silver oxide and the like, and water, in the presence of a water-miscible,

inert organic solvent, e.g., acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, acetone, and the like, or mixtures thereof, to obtain the compounds of Formula II, such as 115,205,21- trihydroxy-1,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one ZI-acetate. The reaction is usually conducted between 0 and C., preferably at reflux temperature. Completion of the reaction can take from about 5 minutes to about 2 hours, depending in part on the temperature employed and the solvent employed.

Alternatively, the starting steroids of Formula I can be reacted with the silver salt under anhydrous conditions, in the presence of an inert organic solvent, such as acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, acetone, nitromethane, and the like, preferably acetonitrile, followed by reaction with water to yield the compounds of Formula II. The

reaction with Water can take place on a Florisil (synthetic magnesium silicate having Water of hydration) column or water can be added to the reaction product obtained by reacting the starting steroid with the silver salt.

The thus obtained compounds of Formula II are recovered from the reaction mixture by conventional methods, such as, for example, dilution of the reaction mixture with water, extraction with a water-immiscible solvent such as methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, benzene, toluene and the like, followed by chromatography, recrystallization, or a combination of these.

The compounds of Formula II, such as 115,208,21- trihydroxy-l,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one Zl-acetate are selectively oxidized to obtain the compounds of Formula HI, such as 115,2l-dihydroxy-L4,l6-pregnatriene-3,20-dione ZI-acetate. The oxidation reaction is carried out in the presence of an inert organic solvent, such as ethyl acetate, chloroform, methylene chloride, a hydrocarbon solvent, e.g., benzene, or the like, preferably ethyl acetate, using manganese dioxide. The reaction is usually conducted at between about 0 and 100 C., room temperature being preferred. Completion of the reaction can take from 1 to 24 hours depending on the temperature and solvent employed. The thus obtained compounds of Formula 111 are recovered from the reaction mixture by conventional means, such as, for example, concentration of the reaction mixture, precipitation, or extraction, and are purified by conventional means such as chromatography or crystallization or a combination of these.

The compounds of Formula III, such as ll,B,2l-dihydroxy-1,4,l6-pregnatriene-3,20-dione 21-acetate are then subjected to hydroxylation, followed by hydrolysis, to obtain the compounds of Formula IV, such as 11,8,160L,170L, 21 tetrahydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene 3-20 dione 21 acetate. The hydroxylation reaction is carried out in the presence of a tertiary amine and an inert organic solvent using osmium tetroxide. Suitable solvents are hydrocarbon solvents, e.g., benzene, toluene, ethyl acetate, tertiary butyl alcohol, ethers, and the like. Suitable tertiary amines are pyridine, lutidine, triethylamine, and the like. In the preferred embodiment, the osmium tetroxide hydroxylation reaction is carried out in the presence of benzene and pyridine. The reaction is usually conducted at between about 0 and 100 0., preferably at. about room temperature. Completion of the reaction can take from about 1 hour to several days, depending in part on the temperature, solvent and tertiary amine employed. After the hydroxylation reaction is completed, the reaction mixture is hydrolyzed in a basic medium, for example, aqueous alcoholic solutions containing sodium sulfite, sodium or potassium bicarbonate, or mixtures thereof. The mildly alkaline solution can conveniently contain a water-miscible organic solvent such as methanol, ethanol, tertiary butyl alcohol, dioxane and the like, and if desired a waterimmiscible organic solvent, such as benzene, or combinations of a water-miscible and water-immiscible solvent.

EXAMPLE 1 11 8,205,21-Trihydroxy-1,4,16-Pregnatrien-3-One 21-Acetate 11 A. 5.0 g. (0.0123 mole) of 20a-chloro-11B,21-dihydroxy-1,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one 21-acetate (I), 5.0 g. (0.039 mole) of dry silver fluoride and 500 ml. of acetonitrile were heated, under a stream of nitrogen, at reflux for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was then cooled, filtered, and the filtrate thus obtained was evaporated to dryness leaving a solid residue weighing 4.7 g. The thus obtained solid residue was dissolved in methylene chloride and poured onto a 400 g. Florisil (synthetic magnesium silicate) chromatographic column packed wet in Skellysolve B hexanes. The chromatographic column was developed by eluting with Skellysolve B hexanes containing increasing amounts of acetone. The eluate fractions were freed of solvent and those fractions eluted with Skellysolve B hexanes containing 15% to 18% acetone were combined to yield 3.8 g. of crystalline material which was recrystallized from an ethyl acetate-Skellysolve B hexanes mixture to give an analytical sample of 11,8,2013,2l-trihydroxy 1,4,16 pregnatrien-S-on 21-acetate (II) having a melting point of 194-196 C.,

A532? 243 mp, a 15,600

and the following analysis:

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H O C, 71.48; H, 7.82.

Found: C. 71.29; H, 7.73.

B. A solution of 45.8 g. (0.27 mole) of silver nitrate and 50 g. (0.138 mole) of 20tx-chloro-11,8,2l-dihydroxy- 1,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one 21-acetate (I) in 3 l. of 90% acetonitrile-water was heated under reflux for 1 hour. The reaction mixture thus obtained was distilled in vacuo leaving a solid residue. The residue obtained was partitioned between methylene chloride and water and the silver salts which had precipitated were removed by filtration. The organic phase was separated, washed with saturated sodium chloride solution and dried over sodium sulfate. The organic phase was then poured onto a 1 kg. Florisil (synthetic magnesium silicate) chromatographic column packed in Skellysolve B hexanes. The chromatographic column was developed by eluting with Skellysolve B hexanes containing increasing amounts of acetone. The eluate fractions were freed of solvent and those semicrystalline fractions which had been eluted with Skellysolve B hexanes containing 15-20% acetone were combined and recrystallized from an ethyl acetate-Skellysolve B hexanes mixture to yield 18.8 g. of 115,205,21-trihydroxy-1,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one 21-acetate (II) having a melting point or" 189190 C. Further recrystallization from ethyl acetate-Skellysolve B hexanes raised the melting point to 194196 C.

Similarly substituting a stoichiometric equivalent amount of 20ot-bromo-11,8,21-dihydroxy-L4,l-pregnatrien-3-one 21-acetate for 20oc-chloro-11,8,21-dihydroxy- 1,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one 21-acetate in the procedure of Example 1A or 1B is productive of 115,205,21-trihydroxy-l,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one 21-acetate.

In like manner, substituting other 21-acylates of 2004- bromoand 20a-chloro-l113,2l-dihydroxy-1,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one Zl-acetate is productive of the corresponding 2l-acylates, such as, for example, the 2l-formate, the 21- propionate, the ZI-butyrate, the 2l-valerate, the 21-hexanoate, the ZI-Iaurate, the 21-trimethylacetate, the 21- isobutyrate, the 21-isovalerate, the 21-tertiarybutylacetate, the 21-(fl-cyclopentylpropionate), the 21-cyclohexanecarboxylate, the 21-cyclohexylacetate, the 21-benzoate, the 2l-phenylacetate, the ZI-(B-phenylpropionate), the 21-(o-, m-, p-toluate), the 21-hemisuccinate, the 21-hemiadipate, the 2l-acrylate, the 21-crotonate, the 2l-propiolate, the 21-(2-butynoate), the 21-undecolate, the 21- cinnamate, the 21-maleate, the 21-citraconate, and the like, of 11fl,20,B,2l-trihydroxy-l,4-16-pregnatrien-3-one.

Likewise, substituting a stoichiometric equivalent amount of 20u-bromoand 20a-chloro-11fi,21-dihydroxy-4,16-pregnadien-3-one 21-acetate (or other 2l-acylates), 6a-fluoro-20a-bromoand 6a-fiuoro-20ot-chloro-1118,21-

dihydroxy-4,16-pregnadien-3-one 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 6a-fluoro 20oz bromoand 6a-fluoro-20a-chloro-1,4,16- pregnatrien-3-one 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), Goc-IIIBthYl-ZOot-bIOITlO- and 6a-methyl-20a-chloro-11,3,21-

dihydroxy-4,16-pregnadien-3-one 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates),

Goa-methYl-ZOmbIOIIIO- and 6ot-methyl-20u-chloro-1,4,l6- pregnatrien-3-one 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 2ot-methyl-20a-bromoand Za-methyl-ZOa-chloro-l15,21-

dihydroxy-4,16-pregnadien-3-one Zl-acetate (or other 2l-acylates), 2-methyl-20a-bromoand 2-methyl-20a-chloro-1,4,16- pregna-trien-S-one 21-acetate (or other 2l-acylates), 2a-methyl-6a-fluoro-20m-bromoand Za-II'IClZhYl-Goc-HHOIO- 20ot-chloro-1118,2l-dihydroxy 4,16 pregnadien-3-one 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 2-methyl-6a-fluoro-20ot-bromoand 2-methyl-6a-fiuoro- ZOa-chloro-1,4,16=-pregnatrien-3-one 21 acetate (or other acylates), 2a,6a-dimethyl 20a bromoand 2a,6a-dimethyl 20cc chloro 11,8,21 dihydroxy 4,16-pregnadien-3-one 21- acetate (or other 21-acylates), and 2,6tx-dimethyl-20a-bromoand 2,6a-dimethyl-20ut-chlor0 1,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), for 20a-chloro-1118,21-dihydroxy-1,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one 21- acetate is productive of 1113,205,21-trihydroxy-4,16-pregnadien 3 one 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 6a-fiuoro-1113,205,21-trihydroxy 4,16 pregnadien-3-one 2l-acetate (or other acylates), 6a fiuoro-l 15,20531-trihydroxy-1,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one Zl-acetate (or other 2l-acylates), 6a-methyl-11,8,205,21-trihydroxy 4,16 pregnadien-3-one 2l-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 60t-II16thyl-11/3,ZOB,21 trihydroxy 1,4,16 pregnatrien-3- one 21-acetate (or other 2l-acylates), 2a methyl-11B,20,8,21-trihydroxy 4,16-pregna-dierr3one Zl-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 2-methyl-1 1,8,20 821 trihydroxy-1,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 2a-methyl-6a-fluoro 1lB,20/3,21 trihydroxy 4,16-pregnadien-3-one 21-acetate (or other acylates), 2-methyl-6et-fluoro-11,B,20fl,21-trihydroxy 1,4,16-pregnatrien-S-one 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 2a,6ot-dimethyl-116,205,21-trihydroxy 4,16 pregnadien 3-one 2l-acetate (or other acylates), and 2,6OL- dimethyl-11 3,20,8,21 trihydroxy-1,4,16-pregnatrien- 3-one 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), respectively.

In the preceding paragraph the term other 21-acylates includes, for example, the 2l-formate, the 21-propionate, the ZI-butyrate, the 2l-valerate, the 21-hexanoate, the 21- laurate, the 21-trimethylacetate, the 2l-isobutyrate, the 2l-isovalerate, the 2l-tertiarybutylacetate, the 2l-(fl-cy clopentylpropionate), the 21-cyclohexanecarboxylate, the 21-cyclohexylacetate, the 21-benzoate, the 21-phenylacetate, the Zl-(fi-phenylpropionate), the 21-(o-, m-, p-- toluate), the 21-hemisuccinate, the 2l-hemiadipate, the: 21-acrylate, the ZI-crotonate, the 21-pr0pio1ate, the 2,1:

(Z-butynoate), the 21-undecolate, the ZI-cinnamate, the 21-maleate, the 21-citraconate, and the like.

In like manner, substituting a mixture comprising the 20mand 20/3-epimeric forms of the 20-ch1oro or 20- bromo compounds described in Examples 2A and 23, respectively, of copending application Serial No. 1449, filed on January 11, 1960, of even date herewith, for 200:- chloro-l 1 ,6,21-dihydroxy-1,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one 21-acetate (or ZOti-bromo-l15,21-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnatrien-3- one 2l-acetate) is productive of a mixture comprising the ZOoc-llYdIOXY compounds, otherwise corresponding to the ZOB-hydroxy compounds described above, and the 20 3- hydroxy compounds. This mixture comprising the 200:- hydroxy and 20B-hydroxy compounds can be used in Example 2 without further treatment. The mixture comprising the ZOa-hydroxy compounds can be chromatographed or countercurrently extracted, followed by crystallization to separate the 20ot-hydroxy compounds from the ZOQ-hydroxy compounds and thus obtain them as separate entities.

EXAMPLE 2 1 1,8,2] -Dihydi'0xy-1,4,1 6-Pregnatriene-3-20-Di0ne 21 -Acetate (III) max.

and the following analysis:

Analysis.-Calcd. fOI' 02311313051 C, H, Found: C, 72.08; H, 7.30.

Similarly, substituting other 21-acylates, for example, those named in the penultimate paragraph of Example 1, of 115,20521-trihydroxy-1,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one for 115,205,21-trihydroxy-L4,16-pregnatrien-3 one 21-acetate, is productive of the corresponding 21-acylates, such as, for example, the 21-formate, the 21-propi0nate, the 21-butyrate, the 21-valerate, the 21-hexanoate, the 21- laurate, the ZI-trimethylacetate, the 21-isobutyrate, the 21-isovalerate, the 21-tertiarybutylacetate, the 21-(B-cyclopentylpropionate), the 21-cyclohexanecarboxylate, the 21-cyclohexylacetate, the 21-benzoate, the 21-phenylacetate, the 21-(fi-phenylpropionate), the 21-(o-, m-, ptoluate), the 2l-hemisuccinate, the 21-hemiadipate, the 21-acrylate, the 21-crotonate, the 21-propiolate, the 21- (Z-butynoate), the 21-undecolate, the 21-cinnamate, the 21-maleate, the 21-citraconate, and the like, of 115,21- dihydroxy-1,4,16-pregnatriene-3,20-dione.

In like manner, substituting a stoichiometric equivalent amount of l1fl,20fi,21-trihydroxy-4,16-pregnadien-3-one 21 acetate (or other Zl-acylates) 6a-fluoro-11p,206,21-trihydroxy-4,16-pregnadien 3 one 21-acetate (or other ZI-acylates), 6ix-fiuoro-115,205,21-trihydroxy 1,4,16 pregnatrien 3 one 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 6a-methy1-113,20521-trihydroxy,4,16-pregnadien-3 one 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 6oi-methyl-11 6,205;l-trihydroxy-IA,16-pregnatrien 3 one 21-acetate (or other 21-acy1ates), 2a methyl-1l fi,20,8,21-trihydroxy-4,16-pregnadien-3 one 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 2-methyl115,20631-trihydroxy-1,4,16-pregnatrien-3 one 21-acetate (or other Zl-acylates),

0 2a-methy1-6a-fluoro-115,205,21-trihydroxy-4,16 pregnadien-S-one 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 2-methyl-6a-fluoro-1 1,8,205,21-trihydroxy-1,4,16 pregnatrien-3-one 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 2a,6a-dimethyl-l1B,20B,21-trihydroxy-4,16 pregnadien 3-one 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), and 2,6ot-dimethyl-l1fi,20,B,2l-trihydroxy-1,4,16 pregnatrien- 3-one 21-acetate (or other 2l-acylates) for 115,20531-trihydroxyfi1,4,16-pregnatrien-3 -one 21-acetate is productive of 115,21-dihydroxy-4,16-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 6a-fluoro-115,21-dihydroxy-4,16-pregnadiene-3,20 dione 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 6a-fluoro-116,21-dihydroxy 1,4,16 pregnatriene 3,20-

dione Zl-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 6a-methy1-l16,21-dihydroxy-4,16-pregnadiene 3,20 dione 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 6a-methyl-115,21-dihydroxy-L4,16-pregnatriene-3,20 dione 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 2a-methyl-11,8,21-dihydroxy-4,l6-pregnadiene- 3,20 dione 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 2-methyl-115,21-dihydroxy-L4,l6-pregnatriene-3,20- dione 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 2ot-rnethyl-6a-fluoro-1 15,21-dihydroxy-4,16 pregnadiene- 3,20-dione 21-acetate (or other 2l-acylates), 2-methyl-6a-fiuoro-11,8,21 dihydroxy 1,4,16 pregnatriene-3,20-dione 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), 2a,6o-dirnethyl-11B,21-dihydroxy-4,16-pregnadiene 3,20-

dione 21-acetate (or other acylates), and 2,6a-dimethyll 1B,21-dihydroxy-1,4,16 pregnatriene 3, 20-dione 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates), respectively.

The term other Zl-acylates as used in the preceding paragraph includes, for example, those named in the penultimate paragraph of Examplel.

In like manner, substituting the mixture comprising the 20a-hydroxy and 20,8-hydroxy compounds described in Example 1 is productive of the 20-keto compounds described in this example.

EXAMPLE 3 11 8,] 6 c ,1 704,21-Tetrahydr0xy-1,4-Pregnadiene 3,20-Dz0ne 21-Acetate (IV) 1.19 g. (0.0031 mole) of 110,21-dihydroxy-1,4,16-pregnatriene-3,20-dione 21-acetate (III), 25 ml. of benzene, 1.2 ml. of pyridine and 785 mg. (0.031 mole) of osmium tetroxide were allowed to stand at about 25 C. for about hours. The thus obtained dark brown reaction mixture was then poured into a solution made up of 55 ml. of water, 20 ml. of benzene, 36 ml. of methanol, 5.6 g. sodium sulfite and 5.6 g. of potassium bicarbonate and stirred for 4 hours. This mixture was extracted with six 100-ml. portions of hot chloroform and the chloroform extracts thus obtained were combined and washed with dilute hydrochloric acid and then with Water. The combined washed extracts were filtered and following evaporation of the chloroform, 670 mg. of a tan solid was obtained. Recrystallization from methanol gave 230 mg. of 1lfi3,160c,17ot,21 tetrahydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene 3, 20-dione 21-acetate (IV), as a methanol solvate having an [eth l-67 (CI-I01 EROH max.

21 dihydroxy 1,4,16 pregnatriene 3,20 dione for 11,8,21 dihydroxy 1,4,16 pregnatriene 3,20 dione 21-acetate is productive of the corresponding 21-acylates, such as, for example, the 21-formate, the 21-propionate, the 21-butyrate, the 21-valerate, the 2l-hexanoate, the 2l-laurate, the ZI-trimethylacetate, the 21-isobutyrate, the 21-isova1erate, the ZI-tertiaryhutylacetate, the 2l-(ficyclopentylpropionate), the 21-cyclohexanecarboxylate, the 21-cyclohexylacetate, the 2l-benzoate, the 2l-pheny1 acetate, the ZI-(B-phenylpropionate), the 21-(o-, m-, ptoluate) the ZI-hemisuccinate, the 21-hemiadipate, the 21- acrylate, the 2l-crotonate, the 2l-propiolate, the 21-(2- butynoate), the 21-undecolate, the 21-cinnamate, the 21- maleate, and the 21-citraconate, and the like, of 11,13,160, l70:,21-tetrahydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

In like manner substituting a stoichiometric equivalent amount of 1 1fl,21-dihydroxy-4,16-pregnadiene-3,20-dione -aCe w (or other 2l-acylates),

6a-fluoro-1 1,8,2l-dihydroxy-4,16-pregnadiene-3,20-

dione 2l-acetate (or other 2l-acylates),

6oc-fiuoro-11,6,21-dihydroxy-1,4,16-pregnatriene-3,20-

dione 21-acetate (or other 2l-acylates),

Goa-methYl-l 16,21-dihydroxy-4,16-pregnadiene-3,20-

dione 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates),

6a-rnethyl-1 l/3,2l-dihydroxy-1,4,16-pregnatriene-3,20-

dione 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates),

2a-methyl-11B,21-dihydroxy-4,16-pregnadiene-3,20-

dione 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates),

2-methyl-1l,B,21-dihydroxy-1,4,16-pregnatriene-3,20-

dione 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates),

2a methyl 60c fluoro 11 8,21 dihydroxy 4,16- pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates),

2 methyl 6o: fluoro 1118,21 dihydroxy 1,4,16-

pregnatriene-3,20-dione 21-acetate (or other acylates),

,6oc dimethyl 11,8,21 dihydroxy 4,16 pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21-acetate (or other 2l-acylates), and

2,6oc dimethyl 115,21 dihydroxy 1,4,16 pregnatriene-3,20-dione 2l-acetate (or other 21-acylates), for

11B,2l-dihydroXy-1,4,16-pregnatriene-3,ZO-dione 21- acetate is productive of 11 3,16a,17a,21-tetrahydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21- acetate (or other 21-acylates),

6a-fluoro-1 1B,16oc,17a,2l-tetrahydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-

dione ZI-acetate (or other 21-acylates),

6a fluoro 11[3,160c,17oz,21 tetrahydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene-3,20-dione 2l-acetate (or other 2l-acylates),

6a-methyl-11,8,16a,17u,21-tetrahydroxy-4-pregnene- 3,20-dione 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates),

6a'- methyl 11B,16a,17cc,21 tetrahydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene-3,20-dione 2l-acetate (or other 21-acylates),

ZOC-IIIBthYl-l 113,16a,17a,2l-tetrahydroxy-4-pregnene- 3,20-dione 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates),

2 methyl 1lp,l6a,17a,21 tetrahydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21-acetate (or other acylates),

20c methyl 6a fluoro 11,8,l6u,17u,21 tetrahydroxy- 4-pregnene 3,20-dione 21-acetate (or other 21-acylates),

2 methyl 6oz fluoro 11,8, 16a,17ot,21 tetrahydroxy- 1,4 pregnadiene 3,20 dione 21 acetate (or other 21-acylates) 204,601. dimethyl 11B,16a,170z,21 tetrahydroxy 4- pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate (or other 21-acy1ates), and

2,60; dimethyl 11,3,16oc,17a21 tetrahydroxy 1,4- pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21-acetate (or other 21-aeylates), respectively.

The term other 21-acylates as used in the preceding paragraph includes, for example, those 2l-acylates named in the penultimate paragraph of Example 1.

O to We claim: 1. A compound of the formula:

CHzOAC HNW OH wherein X is selected from the group consisting of ('JE-CHQ- and e=on R being attached at the 2-position and selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl, Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine and methyl, and Ac is the acyl radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, inelusive.

2. A mixture comprising 115,20521-trihydroxy-1,4,16- pregnatrien-3-one 21-acetate and 11fi,20a,21-trihydroxy- 1,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one 21-acetate.

3. 115,20,2l trihydroxy 1,4,16 pregnatrien 3- one 21-acylate in which the acyl radical is that of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive.

4. 11,8,20,B,21 trihydroxy 1,4,16 pregnatrien 3- one 2l-acetate.

5. 11/5,20e,21-trihydroxy-1,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one acetate.

6. A rocess which comprises: reacting the compounds of Formula I,

CHzOAC CH2OAC I CH OH 7. The process of claim 6 in which the silver salt is 9 silver nitrate, and the inert organic solvent is acetonitrile. 8. The process of claim 7 in which the starting material is 20u-chloro-l15,21-dihydroxy-1,4,16-pregmatrien-3-one 2l-acetate.

9. A process which comprises reacting the compounds of Formula I,

wherein X is selected firom the group consisting of 61 H- Hrand R being attached at the 2-position and selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl, Y is selected from the group consisting of chlorine and bromine, Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine and methyl, and Ac is an acyl radical, with a silver salt in the presence of an inert organic solvent under anhydrous conditions and reacting the thus-obtained product with water to obtain the compounds of Formula II, and reacting the compounds of Formula 111 with osmium tetroxide, followed by alkaline hydrolysis, to obtain the compounds of Formula IV,

10. The process of claim 9 in which the silver salt is silver fluoride, the inert organic solvent is acetonitrile, and the reaction with water takes place on a Florisil (synthetic magnesium silicate) column.

11. The process of claim 10 in which the starting material is 20a-ch1oro-11,3,21-dihydroxy-L4,16-pregnatrien- 3-one Zl-acetate.

12. 6a methyl 11,8,20,21 trihydroxy 1,4,16 pregnatrien-B-one 21-acylate in which the acyl radical is that of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive.

13. 6a methyl 1lfi,205,21 trihydroxy 1,4,16-p-regnatrien-3-one ZI-acetate.

14. 6a methyl 11/3,20a,21 trihydroxy 1,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one Zl-acetate.

15. c fluoro 11;3,20,21 trihydroxy 1,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one 21-aeylate in which the acyl radical is that of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive.

16. 6a fluoro 11fl,20/3,2l t rihydroxy 1,4,16-pregnatrien-3-one 21-acetate.

17. 6a fluoro l1}3,2()a,21 trihydroxy 1,4,16-pregnatrien-S-one 2l-acetate.

OTHER REFERENCES Bernstein et al.: Journal of Organic Chemistry (1959), vol. 24, pages 871-872 relied on.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent NO, 3,068,251

Barney J. Magerlein et 31.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 9 lines 42 to 45, strike out "and reacting the compounds of Formula III with osmium tetroxide, followed by alkaline hydrolysis, to obtain the compounds of Formula IV,";

column 10, lines 1 to 12, the formula should appear as shown below instead of as in the patent:

Signed and sealed this 16th day of July l963q.

( SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer DAVID L. LADD Commissioner of Patents December 11, 19621 

1. A COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA: 